Musa Na Allah, Sokoto
Sokoto State Pilgrims Welfare Agency (PWA) on Monday opened the window for the sale of 2,723 Hajj seats allocated to the state for the 2027 pilgrimage to ensure that intending pilgrims complete their financial and administrative requirements before the deadline imposed by Saudi Arabia.
The early commencement of the exercise is designed to avert the perennial last-minute rush associated with Hajj preparations and give prospective pilgrims ample opportunity to meet the requirements for the forthcoming pilgrimage.
Speaking on the development, Chairman of the Sokoto State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Aliyu Musa, said the state government had taken the early initiative because of the importance of meeting the timetable prescribed by the Saudi Arabian authorities.
He disclosed that September 26 has been fixed as the deadline for Nigerian intending pilgrims to complete payment of their Hajj fares, warning prospective pilgrims against delaying their registration and financial commitments.
Musa said the initial Hajj fare has been pegged at N7.7 million, stressing, however, that the amount remains tentative pending the determination of the final cost of the pilgrimage.
He urged intending pilgrims to take advantage of the early commencement of the sale by securing their seats and completing the necessary procedures within the stipulated period.
The chairman also issued a stern warning against irregular payments, declaring that no intending pilgrim would be permitted to make payment by proxy.
According to him, the policy is intended to ensure proper identification, transparency, accountability and accurate documentation of every pilgrim participating in the 2027 Hajj exercise.
He assured the people of Sokoto State that the government remained fully committed to the successful organisation of the 2027 Hajj, promising that all necessary measures would be taken to protect the interests and welfare of pilgrims from the state.
Musa said the agency would continue to work closely with relevant authorities to ensure that Sokoto pilgrims receive proper guidance and adequate support before, during and after the pilgrimage.
He further disclosed that the agency’s performance had received national recognition, noting that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), through Hajj Reporters, recognised the Sokoto State Pilgrims Welfare Agency as one of the best-performing pilgrims welfare agencies in the country.
The recognition, he said, had placed an additional responsibility on the agency to sustain its standards and improve its services to pilgrims.
Musa therefore appealed to prospective pilgrims to rely on official information from the agency, warning them against patronizing intermediaries or individuals who might exploit the Hajj registration process.
He maintained that early planning remained critical to a smooth pilgrimage, particularly in view of the stringent timelines and requirements governing the 2027 Hajj exercise.
The commencement of the sale of the 2,723 allocated seats therefore signals Sokoto State’s determination to get ahead of the Hajj calendar, avoid avoidable delays and ensure that its pilgrims are fully prepared before departure for the Holy Land.
